Congress should amend Section 1932(a)(2) of the Social Security Act (SSA) to allow states to require all beneficiaries to enroll in Medicaid managed care programs under state plan authority, without a waiver, according to the Medicaid and CHIP Payment and Access Commission (MACPAC).

Other recommendations

During its January session, MACPAC approved the managed care recommendation, which will be added to the commission’s draft March 2018 report to Congress alongside two December 2017 recommendations that Congress (1) extend Section 1915(b) waiver approvals from two to five years; and (2) revise Section 1915(c) waivers to waive freedom of choice and allow selective contracting.

Concerns

Other concerns raised by MACPAC in December 2017 included: (1) whether the managed care recommendation should include long-term services and supports; (2) the adequacy of protections for vulnerable beneficiaries under state plan authority; and (3) that the recommendation to allow mandatory managed care enrollment requires oversight of states and plans to ensure beneficiary needs are met.